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Shoppers Face Soaring Prices On Some Foods

Bell peppers and cucumbers are seen for sale in a grocery store on February 16, 2010. (credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images)

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – With a recipe in her hand, Rachel Aronovich scoured the produce aisle at the Sunflower Farmers Market in Dallas. “I’m making some veggie quesadillas tonight,” she said. But if tomatoes or avocados are among the ingredients, the price tag will probably be much higher than usual.

Those two popular food items are among many fruits and vegetables that cost more to buy now. You might actually feel sticker shock after seeing the total on your next grocery store receipt. Last month, the price of some foods rose at their highest rate in more than 35 years.

The increase in food prices is being blamed on the increase in oil prices, because the cost of transporting produce to markets has gone up with gas prices. Bad weather has also played a factor in raising the price of some foods, as it has led to weak crops across North America.

As a result, food prices soared nearly four percent last month in the United States. Grocery stores said that they have been able to prevent passing that increased cost to customers so far, but there is no telling how long stores will be able to keep customer prices relatively low.

And even still, some customers said that they have already noticed a difference. “I think I’m more careful to buy things on sale,” said Sunflower Farmers Market shopper Jennifer Wilson. “Normally on Wednesdays, they have sales from the week before and the coming week.”

There is also good news on the weather front. Spring started on Sunday, which means more produce will be in-season. That is expected to bring prices back down at a time when many North Texans are pinching every penny.